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Five big projects set for Wewak
By YEHIURA HRIEHWAZI in Wewak
THE Boram airport in Wewak, East Sepik
province, will be upgraded to international standard at the cost of K80
million to take Boeing 767 aircraft.
The plan was among five major infrastructure projects approved by
Cabinet during its meeting in Wewak last week and announced by Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Don Polye
last Thursday night.
Boram project will go through two stages.
The first stage would involve an initial allocation of K22 million for
strengthening of existing runway, taxiway and apron using high-quality
sealing material.
The Boram jail located at the eastern end of the airport will be
relocated to Tumarau on the Wewak-Angoram road and the Kreer Primary
School at the western end of the airport will be transferred to an area
further inland.
Stage two of the redevelopment project would involve extension of the
runway by 800m to 2,400m, setting up of a transit cold storage for
transshipment of frozen produce like fish out of Wewak, warehouse and
hangars for light industries and commercial leases and upgrading of the
existing terminal buildings to cater for domestic and international
passengers.
Five other infrastructure projects were also decided by Cabinet for
funding under the 2008 budget. They are:
*Re-gravelling and sealing of the Wewak-Vanimo
highway from Hawain bridge outside Wewak to Vanimo;
*Upgrading of Brandi-Kaup-Angoram road;
*Upgrading of Hayfield airstrip in Maprik to
cater for Dash 8 aircraft; and
*Improvement of Wewak wharf to cater for
increased business activities in East Sepik.
Mr Polye said Cabinet had decided on the projects to recognise the
contribution of East Sepik to politics and economy.
Mr Polye made the announcement during a farewell dinner hosted by Prime
Minister Sir Michael Somare at the Saint Bennedicts Teachers College in
Kaindi where students performed traditional dances to entertain the
visitors.
“I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the people of East
Sepik in making available to the rest of the people of the country the
first Prime Minister who led the Government for the third time.
“It is a historic moment for me to say this about the Prime Minister,”
Mr Polye said.
“To thank the East Sepik people, the Cabinet has decided to give five
projects as a sign of appreciation to the people for providing this
great leader to PNG,” Mr Polye said.
 
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